Abstract: A method of accessing service resource items for use in setting up bearer channels through a switched telecommunications system including the step of provisioning one or more servers connected to a computer network with a plurality of service resource items that are located with corresponding known URIs. The computer network is logically distinct from a telecommunications system and the service resource items relate to setup control for bearer channels through the telecommunications system. Each of the service resource items is associated with a respective predetermined code. The predetermined codes are distinct from the URIs and identify end-point entities for the bearer channels. The method also includes providing a mapping between the predetermined codes and the known URI of the service resource item associated with its predetermined code.

Abstract: A method of transmitting DTMF signals over a compressed computer network (24) comprises sending a packet containing a compressed DTMF signal followed by a confirmation packet. The confirmation packet preferably comprises an uncompressed DTMF signal which is transmitted on the same logical channel as the packets that represent voice signals. To detect the DTMF signal transmitted, a telephony Internet server (28) decompresses packets as they are received. If a packet appears to contain a compressed DTMF signal, the telephony Internet server looks for the presence of the confirmation packet before processing the previously received packet as a DTMF signal. In an alternative embodiment, the confirmation packet comprises a code that represents a DTMF signal. The packets that represent the voice signal and the code representing the DTMF signal are sent on separate virtual channels of the same logical channel.

Abstract: An Advanced Internet Call Session Manager service system allows a service subscriber to screen telephone calls while connected to the Internet with improved efficiency. In the preferred embodiment, only for those callers who enter a Personal Identification Number established by the subscriber, and only if other calling ID and screening criteria established by the subscriber are met, will an incoming call (while the subscriber is connected to the Internet) be treated as an Internet Call Waiting call (which the subscriber may choose to connect to or ignore). No other calls disturb the subscriber's usage of the Internet. That is, the subscriber does not receive any pop-up messages or audio reminders. A log (including any voice messages) is kept of all incoming calls—whether or not they were presented as Internet Call Waiting calls—for later review by the subscriber.

Abstract: A system data sharing management system in a LAN telephone system 10 comprises: a plurality of terminals 201 to 20n connected to a LAN transmission line 300; and a terminal management device 100 for managing system data 400 of each terminal. At least a part 420 of the system data 400 for operating the LAN telephone system 10 is shared by the terminals 201 to 20n and the terminal management device 100. Each of the terminals 201 to 20n can change the shared system data 420.

Abstract: A call processing apparatus incorporates a robust database supporting both autodialing and autoattendant functions. Incoming calls not directed to a specific telephone extension and any call to a dedicated autodialer function are answered and the caller prompted to speak the name of the desired person or department. A speech recognition platform analyzes the spoken name to provide one or more searchable text strings representing the various spellings associated with the spoken name. The database is searched to retrieve corresponding terminal address instructions such as the telephone number or extension of the named party and call routing to the address is initiated. Alternatively, in an autoattendant mode, a subscriber calls a telephone number associated with a specified service such as a hotline and is asked to identify himself by name. The speech recognition platform again provides a corresponding searchable text string used to retrieve subscriber-specific information for handling the call.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephone system for allowing access to both a public telephone network and a computer communication network. The telephone system comprises a telephone line signal processing section adapted to be connected with a telephone network to achieve voice communication via the telephone network, and a telephonic function section including a voice input section, a voice output section, an input key section, and an on-hook/off-hook operation section. The telephone system further includes a VoIP engine section adapted to be connected with a computer communication network to achieve voice communication via the computer communication network, and a switching section for switchingly connecting the telephonic function section with either one of the telephone line signal processing section and the VoIP engine section.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting in controlling real-time transport protocol flow through multiple networks via media flow routing is disclosed. The system utilizes a first computer and a second computer connected to the first computer, via a group of associated computers, wherein each of the first computer, second computer, and group of associated computers comprise a transceiver, a memory, and a processor.

Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing an Internet web server to direct the processing of operator assistance type calls. A Telephony web browser is connected to a switch to receive customer signals over a voice channel and switch signals over a data channel. Responsive to receipt of inputs over the voice and data channels, the telephony web browser generates a request comprising a uniform resource locator (URL) segment which is transmitted to a web server. The web server responds with a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) page which the telephony web browser converts into a request to the switch to establish the call connection. The telephony web browser can also control visual display to an operator work station for calls wherein the work station controls the call.

Abstract: A telecommunication system combines telephone technology and computer. network technology to monitor a caller and callee's computer activity and to access call processing criteria selected by the caller and callee and stored on the computer network. A component of the telephone system, such as a central office switch, accesses the caller and callee call processing criteria. The system evaluates the call processing criteria and, when conditions for both caller and callee are met, the telephone system initiates a telephone call between the caller and callee. The call processing criteria may include accepting all calls, no calls, or calls only from specified parties. In addition, the call processing criteria can vary in accordance with the time of day or an individual's personal preferences, or status, such as when an individual is in a meeting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus establishes through the public switch telephone network, a multimedia communications session between first and second telecommunications infrastructure. Each infrastructure is located on a separate private data network and comprises logic to automatically establish an integrated voice and data session initiated by a single telephone call from one infrastructure to the other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a point-to-point-to-point telephone connection between a remote telephone and a desired called telephone. The method and apparatus use a two-line base telephone unit, e.g., a home or office telephone, as an intermediary point in the telephone call to reduce long distance rates and/or to utilize features and/or information stored in the base telephone unit when the user is away from the home or office. In a first embodiment, the remote telephone makes a local call to the base telephone unit and instructs the base telephone unit to establish a telephone call with, and interconnect the remote telephone to, a called third party. In a second embodiment, the remote telephone makes a quick call to the base telephone unit instructing the base telephone unit to establish and interconnect both a telephone call back to the remote telephone and a second telephone call to the desired called telephone.

Abstract: An Internet telephone system and telephone apparatus for making an Internet telephone call by entering a telephone number. The system includes a telephone set, a modem, a partner side telephone set, its modem, and a server connected to the Internet for registering a telephone number and an IP address corresponding to the telephone number by relating to each other. The modem, when assigned with an IP address from an Internet service provider, transmits this IP address and the telephone number of the telephone set connected to itself to the server, and registers them. The telephone set and the modem, receiving the telephone number of the partner side telephone set, make a connection operation by acquiring the IP address corresponding to the partner telephone number from the server.

Abstract: A system and method performs rerouting of an incoming call to a telecommunication services subscriber to provide intelligent network services based on proprietary data about the subscriber's services. This proprietary data is within the control of the telecommunication service provider's equipment. Rerouting is performed without providing access to the proprietary data by other telecommunication service providers. Using such a system and method the subscriber's telecommunication provider can effectively provide intelligent network services without risking dissemination of that proprietary data.

Abstract: An interactive remote auction bidding system for conducting an auction among participants located at remote locations from the auction site utilizes a data input device for communication over a network to the auction site. The system includes a data processor located at the auction site for generating bid information for communication over the network to the remote locations. A processor located at the auction side monitors the participants' data input devices for sensing participant bids generated by the participants' data input devices. The system further displays visual bid information at the auction site for transmission over the network to the participants and generates audible bid information in support of that visual bid information.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephony services, such as caller ID, voice mail, selective call forwarding, and the like, to a remote subscriber, typically located outside the provider's regional territory. The system can include customer premise equipment (CPE) selectively connectable to a remote central office (CO), a packet-switched network gateway, such as an internet telephony gateway (ITG), for remotely communicating service requests to a local service node. The local service node can be located within the service provider's territory and returns telephony service responses via the packet-switched network gateway to the remote CO, and ultimately the remote CPE.

Abstract: A telephone system provides subscribers with access to a service provider's platform logic and data implemented in any runtime environment. In one embodiment, the service logic is embodied in Java applets and Java beans in a JAVA virtual machine for subscriber personalizing and modifying the service logic. The provider provides the subscriber a tool kit or access to a support server for writing service logic modifications as JAVA beans. The service logic modification is achieved in a process in which the service requirements and objectives are set. The service specifications are designed, implemented, tested, and rolled out. Initial service provisioning and support is provided a subscriber, service modification by the subscriber is made to subscriber data provisioning and subscriber service logic provisions. A modified service logic is locally tested by the subscriber, followed by remote testing of the modification on the service provider's premises.

Abstract: A system and method for administering Call Back service are disclosed which are capable of pre-qualifying such Call Back service. Such a system and method are capable of pre-qualifying a request for a Call Back service before returning a call back to the requesting customer. In this manner, the customer may not begin being charged at the lower call rate until after a connection is first established with the called number. A call back server may attempt to connect the customer requesting Call Back service with the called party by first attempting to establish a connection with the called party. Once a connection is established with the called party, the call back server may call the customer and connect the called party to the customer. In this manner, the customer may only be charged for a call back from the call back server if a connection is first established with the called number.

Abstract: An intelligent data network call setup system forwards data network user information to an operator, for example, for a call with a data network user. The intelligent data network call set up system monitors the data network user's actions and generates information that summarizes potential reasons for the data network user's call and forwards such information as preamble information to the operator. The intelligent data network call set up system includes a call coordination device that serves as an interface between the data network user and the operator. The call coordination device supports web sites visited by data network users and when a request for a call is received, the call coordination device provides the operator with the user's action history, and other helpful information to the operator such as products that may interest the user to avoid the undesirable “cold start” experience. In this way, the operator may be more knowledgeable and helpful to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for a packet Voice Response Unit (VRU) which directly utilize packet network protocols, such as those of the H.323 standard, to provide enhanced services via a packet network. The packet VRU generally operates within the packet network and is not required to provide data format translation or multiple device-type access. The packet VRU may be built entirely in software running on a network server with a standard packet network connection such as Ethernet or token-ring. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the packet VRU redirects the media stream from a source so that it is sent directly to a destination, instead of passing through the packet VRU. Alternatively, if the packet VRU must perform processing on the message contents, the packets may be sent to both the destination and to the packet VRU. The packet VRU may still retain call control over the media streams by maintaining the signaling and user input components of the call.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.

Abstract: A system and method for a personalized directory assistance system are provided. The system allows a user to speak with a Cutter service representative (CSR) by dialing an easy to remember telephone number on their phone. Specialized telephony equipment routes the call to the customer service representative and the user's personal contact list made available to the (CSR). The CSR searches the user's personal contact list in accordance with the user's request. The CSR's terminal generates a call completion string and sends it to the telephony equipment using an out-of-band signaling network for release link transfer switching. The user's personal contact list can be populated by the user via a web browser, by interacting with the CSR, by synchronizing a personal information manager or personal digital assistant database or by sending a facsimile or electronic mail request to the service provider.

Abstract: A system for operating a call center comprising workstations and corresponding telephones connected to a telephony private branch switch. The system comprising: a telephony server, connected between the workstations and the telephony switch, for performing telephony functions on telephone lines connected to the switch; a groupware environment such as Lotus Notes for enabling a business application to be executed on the workstations; and a business application for execution within said groupware environment. The groupware environment having a Java Virtual Machine and a Java Applet Interface for enabling the execution of Java applets within the application independent of the groupware environment. The business application comprises a telephony applet embedded within a presentation layer which can communicate directly with the telephony server independent of the groupware environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides an intelligent call processor, an intelligent switching node and an intelligent communications network for use in a communications system. The intelligent call processor comprises a logical platform having a plurality of functions wherein at least one of the functions is service processing function, at least one of the functions is call processing, and at least one of the functions is facility processing, and a processor for executing the plurality of functions. The intelligent switching node comprises an intelligent call processor and, a resource complex communicably linked to the intelligent call processor and logically separated from the intelligent call processor.

Abstract: A telephone instrument comprises a mechanism for providing signals for transmission, a mechanism for converting signals received by the instrument into output signals, a switching circuit for selectively establishing and terminating a connection between the instrument and a circuit-switched telephone network and for selectively establishing and terminating a connection between the instrument and a packet-switched communication network. When calling, the instrument signals over the circuit-switched network for a network address for the called instrument and the packet-switched network and establishes a dual connection over the packet-switched network if such a network address is received. When receiving a call, the instrument can terminate the call connection over the circuit-switched network and continue the call by way of the packet-switched network.

Abstract: A system and method for centralizing property management and/or call accounting services for a hotel through a network-based service provider. This architecture allows hotels to migrate from existing premise-based systems for PMS and Call Accounting to a centralized system without the need for replacing the existing PBX system at each hotel premise. An internetwork for providing property management services includes a client network and a service provider network. The client network transmits to the service provider network a call parameter for a completed call. The service provider network preferably determines a cost for the completed call based on the call parameter and transmits the call cost information back to the client network to charge the cost to an account.

Abstract: A line card for a data packet router interfaces to a high-speed standard data link, and has a first portion interfacing to the router and having a plurality of slower ports, and a second portion having a framer compatible with and coupled to the data link. The framer is coupled through an ingress and an egress data path between the framer and the slower ports, each with separate ingress buffers and egress buffers for each port. An interface control circuit controls data packet transfers between the slower ports and the framer in both directions. In a preferred embodiment a function is used by the control circuit to map packets from the link to the ports, using keys extracted from the incoming packets. For an IP packet the key is the source address, destination address (SA/DA) pair, which constrains packets for same IP conversations to be routed by the same path.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a communication system comprising a first communication device, a first network control device for controlling a first network to which the first communication device is connected, and a first interface establishing device connected between the first network control device and a transmitting network. The first communication device and the first network control device are connected such that a use signal and a control signal are sent separately to the first network control device. Furthermore, the first network control device and the first interface establishing device are connected such that the use signal and the control signal are sent separately to the first interface establishing device. In the communication system according to the invention, the need for a tone detection in the first interface establishing means, i.e. the gateway for the network, for example an IP-based network, is eliminated.

Abstract: A method of qualifying telephone numbers for use by one or more telephone service representatives consisting of the following steps. Supplying a telephone number database containing telephone numbers and validation criteria to a qualifying computer. Launching calls with the qualifying computer to the telephone numbers in the telephone number database. Selecting called telephone numbers that meet the validation criteria as qualified telephone numbers. Establishing a qualified number queue for containing qualified telephone numbers. Providing access to the qualifying computer by the telephone service representatives to permit them to request qualified telephone numbers from the qualified number queue. Passing at least one qualified telephone number from the qualified number queue to the requesting telephone service representative.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Network Telephony call center system has a plurality of call centers managed by a central controller. The central controller accepts IPNT calls and routes the calls to the plurality of call centers to be distributed to agents based on status of the call centers maintained in a stat-server coupled to the central controller. The call centers periodically report call center status to the stat-server at the central controller via dedicated data links. In the event of failure of a data link between a call center and the central controller, the central controller continues to route calls by retrieving historical data previously reported for the disconnected call center, estimating the current status of the call center based on the historical data, and using the estimates with current status of other call centers in making routing decisions.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: A telephone routing system which provides notification to subscribers that an incoming telephone call has been received. In particular, the system is directed toward subscribers who employ their telephone line in order to establish a connection over the Internet. In the situation where an incoming call is received during an Internet session, the routing system provides notification to the subscriber that the call has been received. In particular, when the incoming call is received, an interactive screen display may appear on the subscriber's computer through use of the subscriber's PC software. The subscriber may be provided a selection of options on how the call should be routed. Once the instructions are received from the subscriber, the system routes the call accordingly.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method whereby the separate protocols: session initiation protocol SIP, resource reservation protocol RSVP, common open policy service COPS, and open settlement protocol OSP are used together to setup, maintain, and teardown Internet communications having an acceptable QoS. This process is accomplished by dynamically establishing RSVP policy based on SIP telephony requests to provide IP communications with QoS across the Internet. The QoS policy is installed in network elements at the request of the network elements.

Abstract: A system and method for routing a telephone call on a PSTN network to a data device. The present invention utilizes an automatic call processing system that has a one number location service. A called party provides a calling profile that is stored in the automatic call processing (ACP) system. When a call is placed to a telephone number that is assigned to the called party, the call is routed to the ACP system. The ACP system calls each of the numbers of the calling profile for that called party until that party is reached. At least one of the destinations in the calling profile is a logical address for a data network. The automatic call processing system recognizes the logical address and queries a directory to determine if an IP address has been registered in the directory for the logical address of the called party.

Abstract: A system and a method for communicating dialed digits between a communication device and a call processor during call setup include transmitting at least the first digit of a telephone number from the communication device to the call processor within a first data packet. The call processor references a dialing plan to determine if the first data packet provides sufficient digits to complete the requested call. If not, the call processor determines the minimum quantity of digits required under the dialing plan to determine the destination of the call and transmits a protocol command to the communication device to transmit the minimum quantity of digits to the call processor within a subsequent data packet. The call processor continues to reference the dialing plan to determine whether additional digits are required and to request additional packets until sufficient packets have been received to establish the call.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing an audio interface to electronic documents. An audio interface receives a request for electronic content from a client and retrieves the requested document. Next, the document is parsed to identify various elements, such as title, text, and links included in the document. Many of those providing electronic content include hierarchical indices to aid clients in finding documents covering a particular topic. The audio interface includes a facility to preserve, enhance, or create this hierarchical organization by mapping a document's text and links into a corresponding audio hierarchy. The client is then presented with various options from which to make a selection. Outside of this hierarchy, the client receives the document title, the number of links contained within the document, an audio representation of the document's text, and may optionally chose to hear only the links included in the document.

Abstract: A called party is alerted to the presence of a voice call on the Internet (110) by a page that is automatically transmitted to the called party's pager (120) upon initiation of the call by a calling party from his terminal (101) running Internet voice communications software and equipped with a microphone (102) and speaker (103). The page is transmitted in response to a message sent by a service provider (115) on the Internet, which receives from the calling party's terminal on the Internet, information for identifying the called party's pager. The called party, upon receiving the page, connects to the called party on the Internet through his home terminal (105) that is running that same voice communications software and is also equipped with a microphone (106) and speaker (107), or through any such similarly equipped portable or fixed terminal (125) at any location from which the Internet can be accessed.

Abstract: In the network terminal device (200), the computer main body (202) transmits a download request containing user identification data to the host device (300) via a network (100) at the time of starting the terminal device (200). In the host device (300), of various types of files corresponding to the user identification data, a designated file which is set by the user table in advance, is selected from the user management file which stores various types of files corresponding to each and individual user, in reply to the download request, and the designated file is transferred to the network terminal device (200) which made the request. The designated file is a recently used data file.

Abstract: An intelligent data network call spawning system monitors a subscriber's interactions on a data network and spawns a call to an information provider. The intelligent data network call set up system monitors the data network user's navigational actions and analyzes the actions with an expert system, for example. The system spawns a call to an information provider based on these actions. The intelligent data network call spawning system includes a call spawning device that serves as an interface between the subscriber and the information provider. The call spawning device supports web sites visited by subscribers and spawns calls to information providers and may coordinate with a call coordination device to provide preamble information to a called party so that the called party is briefed regarding the subject matter of interest to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method for controlling subscription services delivered to a user by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) coupled to an Automated Intelligent Network (AIN) telephone system with at least one central office switching system. An intelligent peripheral subsystem is connected to the central office switching system, via a call connection channel. The intelligent peripheral subsystem providing at least one auxiliary call processing capability via the call connection channel and provides a telephony speaker authentication method for selectively authorizing updates to user subscription services types provided by the ISP, wherein each of the subscription services types include one or more service options.

Abstract: The integration of various federally required and state mandated do-not-call lists for telemarketers into a system that automatically blocks outgoing calls from a number of companies (“Customer Companies”) taking into account factors such as preexisting customers which may legally be contacted is disclosed. The system reviews outgoing calls by a telemarketer, compares it to the general do-not-call lists and the specific customer company do-not-call list and override permitted call list to make a determination if the call should be completed. This integration is due to the incorporation of a general purpose computer in a central location that is connected to all the major telephone carriers switch cluster locations and operated by a service provider. The “do-not-call” database of originating/destination pairs, as well as the logic for blocking or permitting telephone calls, is stored in this computer.

Abstract: Methods for introducing information services to potential customers. The information services can provide Internet access, value-added telephone services, and the like. As a non-customer or, in other words, a potential customer, issues a communication request to a customer of the information service, the potential customer is allowed to access certain features of the information service. The communication request can be a telephone call directed to a customer. For example, as the potential customer holds while waiting to speak with a customer, the potential customer can browse the Internet using a telephone interface. The potential customer is also informed how he or she can become a subscriber or the information service. As the potential customer interacts with the information service, the potential customer's interaction is tracked and stored in order to customize the information service to the particular potential customer during a subsequent interaction.

Abstract: A call re-directing system associated with a call center integrates an interface on a computer station at an agent station having a telephone, a CTI-application executing on a processor connected to a telephony switch, and an DSP-controller to operate with Transfer Connect protocols for re-directing misrouted telephone calls. In a preferred embodiment, data associated with a call is transferred to the new destination of a re-routed call and re-associated with the call.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions and an execution unit is presented. The execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, executes the plurality of programming instructions to implement a hierarchy of collaboration services enabling collaboration between a client computer and a collaboration partner, including a service to determine the system attributes of the client computer and to select an appropriate collaboration service from the hierarchy of collaboration services commensurate with the determined system attributes of the client computer and enabling a collaboration session between the client computer and the collaboration partner.

Abstract: A voice activated and operated Internet web browser where voiced utterances are digitized and the digitized representation is input to a speech recognition program is disclosed. The speech recognition program determines the most likely set of words from a stored vocabulary making up the utterances. The words are analyzed and searched against a database of topics or micro-domain areas. If a match occurs the words are analyzed by a subprogram associated with the specific topic area and key words are identified and other words discarded. The key words are input to a search engine or the equivalent. The search engine returns information associated with the topic. If no topic match is found a general search on the recognized words is performed. The recognized words are fed to a identification module where key words are extracted that are associated with names of people, organizations, locations, and companies; times; money amounts; percentages; dates; and not-a-name.

Abstract: An apparatus is comprised of a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions for implementing a set of communication services for establishing and supporting a direct quality voice call to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) extension, and an execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, for executing the plurality of programming instructions. In particular, the set of communication services include services for establishing and facilitating the voice call to the PSTN extension on behalf of the client computer, and services for causing a direct connection to be established between the client computer and the apparatus.

Abstract: An intelligent data network call setup system forwards data network user information to an operator, for example, for a call with a data network user. The intelligent data network call set up system monitors the data network user's actions and generates information that summarizes potential reasons for the data network user's call and forwards such information as preamble information to the operator. The intelligent data network call set up system includes a call coordination device that serves as an interface between the data network user and the operator. The call coordination device supports web sites visited by data network users and when a request for a call is received, the call coordination device provides the operator with the user's action history, and other helpful information to the operator such as products that may interest the user to avoid the undesirable “cold start” experience. In this way, the operator may be more knowledgeable and helpful to the user.

Abstract: A customer premise equipment device such as a telephone and an associated method for routing a call from an inbound central office are provided. The telephone comprises an audible input mechanism, an audible output mechanism, a keypad, and control logic. The keypad is used by a user to press a sequence of keys to initiate a call. The control logic responds to the pressed sequence of keys by transmitting a signal indicative of call information to the inbound central office. The keypad includes a standard telephone keypad, and further includes at least one additional key for use by the user to designate a routing method for the call.

Abstract: A calling party (12) may enjoy IP network routing of a call to a called party (14) simply by dialing the called party's number. Upon receipt of the call, a network (22) accesses a service database (24) containing call routing instructions. Each record is identified by a particular attribute of a call that may include: (1) the originating number, (2), at least a portion of the destination number, (3) a Carrier Identification Code (CIC) associated with the network originating call, and/or (4) at least one characteristic of a trunkgroup on which the network received the call. If the network matches a data base record to a call attribute, the network routes the call in accordance with the instructions in the matching record, including routing the call over an IP network 16 when the record so specifies.

Abstract: A method and system (100) establishes voice communications between a computer operator (102) and an agent (104) of a business over a computer network, such as the Internet (108). Using an operator computer (106), the computer operator (102) views advertisements of the business' products or services on the Internet (108) via customized home pages (200). When the operator (102) wishes to order a product or ask additional questions about a product, the operator (102) activates a “call me” button (210). A return call screen (300) is then presented to the operator (102) with areas to insert a name (302), a telephone number (304) and a time to call (306). This information is packetized in a call request which is transmitted over the Internet (108) to a telephone switching system (112) associated with the business. The telephone switching system (112) subsequently dials the telephone number (304) at the time to call (306).